Public Safety Executive Leadership, M.S.L.
A Master of Studies in Law in Public Safety Executive Leadership through the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety Program (EPPS) at the School of Law will fill a critical gap by providing evidence-based training on the legal considerations, skills, and disciplines that public safety professionals in all stages of their careers need to ensure the delivery of fair, effective public safety services.
There is increasing recognition in the United States that current police training models are insufficient to meet the needs of modern communities. Currently, there is no center in the country dedicated to developing and delivering evidence-based training for public safety professionals at every stage of their career, in all skills and disciplines necessary to deliver fair, effective public safety services. The School of Law and the EPPS Program are uniquely positioned to offer an innovative course of study. Our faculty have deep expertise working collaboratively to improve public safety at the local, state, and federal level. Drawing on firsthand experience working in public safety, at the National Institute of Justice, and at academic institutions including Harvard Law School and New York University School of Law, our leadership and faculty have the skills and gravitas to develop, refine, and deliver professionally appropriate, career-enhancing training programs.
The M.S.L. in Public Safety Executive Leadership will consist of eight (8) required courses totaling twenty-four (24) hours, with an additional six (6) hours of electives to be completed after all required courses. The program will use virtual and in-person modalities to offer value-centric training modules grounded in evidence-based adult-learning pedagogies. Our course list was selected in consultation with law enforcement professionals from across the state of South Carolina and beyond, and with subject matter experts, pedagogical specialists, and experienced instructional designers to ensure that each course will provide an in-depth exploration of a range of critical topics, equipping police leaders with knowledge and practical skills that they can immediately incorporate into their practice to improve the delivery of public safety services.
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge and Application of Legal and Ethical Considerations, including\\n- A practical familiarity with the legal principles that govern the administration of public safety agencies.\\n- In-depth knowledge of the legal doctrines related to their public safety mission, with a focus on preserving civil rights and civil liberties within their agencies and communities. \\n- Robust knowledge and thoughtful application of ethical decision-making guidelines for lawful, effective, legitimate, and efficient policing.\\n
- Skills to Advance Evidence-Informed, Effective Public Safety Strategies, including\\n- How to identify, interpret, integrate, and contribute to scientific research relevant to public safety practices. \\n- How to locate and assess promising practices across disciplines - both nationally and internationally, for the transferability and effectiveness of these practices in their own jurisdictions. \\n- How to analyze existing assets to support transformational change, including funding, communities of practice, and professional resources. \\n
- Competencies to Co-Produce Public Safety with Communities, including \\n- Knowledge of historical and current sociolegal factors that impact community/police relations.\\n- Skills needed to foster community trust and to engage the public as meaningful partners in identifying public safety priorities and improving public safety outcomes. \\n- How to design and implement multi-disciplinary responses that center community needs and wholistically address public safety problems. \\n
- Knowledge and Application of Sound Leadership and Management Principles, including\\n- Those oriented towards continuous learning and improvement, including systems design, culture change, cognitive flexibility, and social learning . \\n- Those specific to governing public safety agencies, including sound recruitment, retention, and promotional processes; accountability systems; and budgeting and strategic planning. \\n- Critical and strategic thinking skills, with a particular focus on navigating changing landscapes, applying strategic foresight, and orchestrating responsive, effective, and sustainable solutions. \\n
- Communication and Collaboration Skills, including\\n- Competence in articulating and advocating for sound professional practices and public policies to improve public safety outcomes at the local, national, and international level. \\n- Oral and written communication skills across the types and contexts of communication common to public safety executives such as with internal team members (supervisors, peers, and subordinates), external stakeholders (community members and elected officials), and media (traditional and social). \\n- The flexible, varied skills needed to work collaboratively and effectively across internal and external stakeholders. \\n
Requirements for Admission:
- Successful completion of undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
- Two letters of recommendation (For current law enforcement officers, one letter should be from the chief of police or equivalent leader supporting applicant's candidacy while employed).
- Interview
- Admission preference will be given to South Carolina law enforcement officers.
- GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores are not required.
Degree Requirements (30 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| LAWG 701 | Principles of Leadership & Management: Legal, Ethical, and Organizational Considerations | 3 |
| LAWG 702 | Evidence-Based Policing & Public Safety | 3 |
| LAWG 703 | Civil Rights: Practices for Public Safety Leaders | 3 |
| LAWG 704 | Sound Agency Management: Law, Policy, and Strategy | 3 |
| LAWG 705 | Co-Producing Public Safety: Building Trust and Centering Community Needs | 3 |
| LAWG 706 | Critical Incidents: Responding to and Learning from Near Misses and Unintended Outcomes | 3 |
| LAWG 707 | Collaborative Communications in Public Safety | 3 |
| LAWG 708 | Directed Study in Policing and Public Safety | 3 |
| Elective Courses - Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Budgeting, Fiscal Management, and Strategic Planning for Public Safety Leaders | ||
| Legal and Ethical Considerations in Public Safety: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond | ||
| Crime Prevention: Law, Research, Strategies, and Tactics | ||
| Leadership for Officer Health, Safety, and Wellness | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |